app.title

Permitting reform

Topic

A key obstacle to building infrastructure in the US, discussed by Ezra Klein as part of his 'Abundance' thesis, where lengthy and complex approval processes stifle development.

entitydetail.created_at

7/21/2025, 1:59:12 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

7/22/2025, 5:27:26 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

7/21/2025, 2:11:34 AM

Summary

Permitting reform is a critical policy area focused on streamlining the regulatory processes for infrastructure development, particularly in the energy sector. It is exemplified by the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753), a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso in July 2024, which aims to accelerate the development of both fossil fuel and electric power transmission projects. Beyond energy, the concept extends to broader infrastructure, clean energy, and habitat restoration projects, addressing concerns about diminished state capacity and the lengthy, complex regulatory requirements that hinder progress. Critics, like Ezra Klein, argue that while essential, current approaches, whether targeted industrial policies or chaotic ones, often fail to resolve the fundamental governance issues underlying permitting delays.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Goal

    Accelerate construction, unlock domestic energy sources, support clean energy transition

  • Purpose

    Streamlining regulatory processes for infrastructure development

  • Key Legislation

    Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753)

  • Broader Application

    General infrastructure, habitat restoration, land management

  • Legislative Context

    One of several iterations of permitting reform in the 118th Congress

  • Affected Legislation

    National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

  • Primary Sector Focus

    Energy (fossil fuel, electric power transmission, clean energy)

  • Underlying Issues Addressed

    Diminished state capacity, lengthy regulatory requirements, 'Vetocracy'

Timeline
  • Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753) introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2024-07-01

  • Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee cleared S.4753 with a 15-4 vote and one amendment. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2024-08-01

Wikipedia
View on Wikipedia
Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024

The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753) is a bill in the United States Senate to reform the permitting system for fossil fuel and electric power transmission development. It is one of the several iterations of permitting reform brought forth by the 118th Congress. The bill was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) in July 2024. The last action on the bill was taken in August. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee cleared the bill from the committee with a 15-4 margin and only one additional amendment.

Web Search Results
  • Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 - Wikipedia

    Great Seal of the United States The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753) is a bill in the United States Senate to reform the permitting system for fossil fuel and electric power transmission development. It is one of the several iterations of permitting reform brought forth by the 118th Congress. The bill was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) in July 2024. [...] Energy permitting reform is the idea of altering regulations and rules to make it easier to build energy infrastructure in the United States. Currently, it takes a long time for energy infrastructure, such as electric transmission, to be built. This is particularly concerning as we are transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources due to climate change. For example, when there is not enough transmission to connect clean energy to the grid, they enter "interconnection queues", a [...] For the first question, energy permitting reform would likely alter the National Environmental Policy Act, one of the most foundational environmental legislation in United States history. Such changes could have unintended consequences on other environmental issues if not carefully crafted.

  • Why the Energy Permitting Reform Act is a necessary step forward

    The Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA) of 2024, introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY), represents a crucial step toward shaping the future of U.S. energy policy. This bipartisan bill aims to simplify the permitting processes that have historically slowed down the development of energy infrastructure. As the demand for energy grows and the need to lower emissions becomes more urgent, EPRA provides a practical solution to unlock domestic energy sources. While there [...] ## The Energy Permitting Reform Act: Overview The EPRA seeks to overhaul the outdated permitting process by incorporating a range of reforms that will benefit both clean energy projects and traditional energy sources. Specifically, it addresses the following areas: [...] Further reforms may also be necessary to unlock the full potential of a modernized energy sector. Additional resources and regulatory changes could further streamline the permitting process, especially for large-scale clean energy projects and the infrastructure required to support them. Enhancing federal-state and state-to-state cooperation will also be crucial areas for improvement moving forward.

  • Permitting reform can help protect nature and fuel clean energy

    ### Why is Permitting Reform Important? Clean energy projects, transmission infrastructure, habitat restoration, land management, and other important climate and conservation projects have to go through a maze of regulatory requirements and processes at the federal, state and local levels, and it's taking longer than ever before. [...] The Nature Conservancy logo. The Nature Conservancy logo. Policy # Permitting Modernization: Accelerating A Clean Energy Transition and Benefitting Nature Solar panels with wind turbines in the background at sunset. ## To protect nature and tackle climate change, the U.S. needs to rapidly build more clean energy infrastructure and habitat restoration projects. Modernizing permitting processes will allow us to move faster while balancing important conservation and community values. [...] We must right-size the resources of permitting agencies, with agencies at all levels receiving adequate funding, tools, staffing and training to enable rapid and efficient environmental reviews and authorization decisions. Energy transmission poles and wires with mountains in the background. ### Responsible Permitting Reform Can Help Site and Build Clean Energy

  • S.4753 - Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 - Congress.gov

    Summary of S.4753 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024.

  • What Is Permitting Reform? Here's a Cheat Sheet.

    Essentially, the government is poised to change the laws and procedures that govern how it approves new infrastructure, from highways to subways